The Hindu Business Line : Mineral policy to help boost Jharkhand's economy

As mineral-based industries are the only USP for Jharkhand, it does not want to sacrifice these resources succumbing to popular sentiment of the non-iron ore bearing states.

The State's mineral policy has been conveyed to the Prime Minister and the governments in the neighbouring Sstates as well as to prospective investors.

The Chief Secretary of the State, Mr P.P. Sharma, told Business Line that the policy was well taken up by private investors.

In fact, the State Government has received about 20 investment proposals covering mines & minerals, power and hotel industries.

Of the total proposals received, MoUs have been signed for five steel projects and one alumina refining project and two power projects. The other proposals are in advance stages of consideration.

Mr Sharma said prospective investors had been asked to cooperate with the State Government towards developing basic infrastructure such as roads, bridges, technical schools and hospitals.

He reminded that no major investment took place in the Jharkhand region for the last 40 years. The region achieved statehood status only in 2000. Therefore, one should not expect ready infrastructure like the ones in the neighbouring states.

However, he said the response was good with the Tatas, the L.N.Mittal group and the Sajan Jindal group agreeing to set up poly-technical schools for training of local people.

Proposals were received for setting up IT parks, educational institutions and hotels.

He said the India Hotel Group had shown interest in setting up "Gateway Brand" hotels in Ranchi and Jamshedpur.

This apart, talks were also going on with the Inter-continental Hotel Group for hotels. The Indian Tourism Development Corporation has been engaged as the State's consultant to prepare a report for developing tourism sector which has since been accorded the industry status.

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